Bench Review's College Basketball TOP TEN
One week has passed since the 2016-2017 College Basketball season tipped off, and it already has given us some incredible moments. So let's get to Bench Review's TOP TEN!
1. Kentucky
Kentucky absolutely dominated Michigan State from start to finish Tuesday in the first game of the Champion's Classic. Calipari has another super team on his hands, led by Malik Monk, who can do this...
2. Kansas
3. Villanova
Villanova looked great in a hard fought matchup against #15 Purdue. I'm still salty about last April, so I'm moving on.
4. North Carolina
The Joel Berry NPOTY hype train has officially left the station, as the junior guard is averaging 21 points and 5 assists throughout three games so far. The Tar Heels have absolutely dismantled every one of their opponents thus far, but will face their first real test in the Maui Invitational next week. Also...
5. Duke
Now you may think that because I am a UNC fan that Duke is ranked here because they are our rivals, a̶n̶d̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶ ̶w̶o̶u̶l̶d̶ ̶b̶e̶ ̶r̶i̶g̶h̶t̶ but the truth is they are not the best team in the nation void of freshman superstars Harry Giles, Marques Bolden, and Jayson Tatum. Against Kansas the Blue Devils were in shambles for most of the night, and it was a miracle that they stayed in the game for as long as they did. Most major news outlets picked junior Grayson Allen (who is this generation's Christian Laettner in terms of likability) as their pre-season NPOTY, but on one of the biggest nights in college basketball this season he shot a horrendous 4-15 and 1-7 from 3.
6. Indiana
Indiana surprised a lot of people when they defeated Kansas in OT as part of the Armed Forces Classic last Friday. Indiana has now overtaken Michigan State as the front runner to win the BIG10, and James Blackmon is an absolute baller.
7. Virginia
Though it hasn't been against the best of competition, Virginia has played their boring style of basketball to perfection and dominated their first two opponents.
8. Arizona
Arizona got off to fantastic start by beating Michigan State on a coast - to - coast game winning layup by Kadeem Allen. When Alonzo Trier is back, this team will be scary good.
9. Louisville
Fear not Louisville fans, you can make the playoff at the end of the season with this ranking. (Also, your football team isn't as good as Clemson's)
10. Syracuse
Much like some of the other teams here, Syracuse has done what they have been expected to do and blown out their opponents thus far.